ST. GEORGE — Now that there's a pool of water large enough to hold boats and bathe swimmers, it all seems reasonable — Sand Hollow Reservoir could well become Utah's most popular state park.
That was not the case a couple of years ago when there was little more than an impression in the ground filled with sand and sagebrush.
Early Friday, however, as several hundred people gathered for the official dedication ceremonies, the vision that started the project nearly two decades ago took on solid form.
Several of the distinguished speakers compared the newest pond of water located 15 miles southeast of St. George favorably to what is unquestionably one of the world's most picturesque water properties — Lake Powell.
Even before the ribbon blocking the launch ramp had been cut, however, several of the scheduled speakers talked of enlarging the reservoir by running a pipeline between Sand Hollow and Lake Powell.
Former congressman Jim Hansen, in fact, apologized to the gathering for not getting the pipeline approved before retiring. "I asked for an estimate on how much it would cost last October. The bid was $130 million. That's a chunk of money . . . but it's extremely important that it happens," he said.
The purpose for the new reservoir is twofold: First, it has the potential of being the centerpiece for one of the state's most active recreational sites. And, second, it is a vital water source for what is the fastest-growing county in Utah and the 26th-fastest growing community in the country, pointed out Ronald Thompson, district manager for Washington County Water Conservancy.
"It may be necessary to look forward to the Lake Powell pipeline . . . We're looking at possibly bringing in 100,000-acre feet, and that's a lot of water," said Larry Anderson, director of the Department of Water Resources. "But, with the growth projected for this county it will be necessary within the next 15 years."
Early plans for the reservoir were, in fact, enlarged to allow for the possibility of holding water piped in from Powell.
As it sits now, the reservoir has filled to about 10,000 surface acres, said Dave Morrow, deputy director of the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation. Eventually, it will hold 13,500 surface acres of water and will be at the heart of 20,000 acres of recreational land that will be open to hiking, biking, off-highway riding areas and equestrian trails. Nearby Quail Creek Reservoir, when full, is about 700 surface acres.
"The most exciting thing," said Gordon Topham, regional director for the DPR, "is there will be so much to do and the use season here is so long. During the heat of summer, people will be able to ride ATVs in the cool of the morning and evening, and midday spend time swimming or water skiing. You're also close to golf and to all those wonderful parks, like Zion and Bryce and Snow Canyon."
Among the political leaders speaking at Friday's ceremonies, besides Hansen, were Sens. Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch and Gov. Mike Leavitt, who made it far enough south to speak.
Bennett said he sees Sand Hollow becoming one of the most significant tourist draws in the state. "This reservoir, in many ways, will be more attractive than Lake Powell, partly because of the size. People will go to Lake Powell for the big houseboats and to Sand Hollow for something smaller."
Hatch told the group that in light of today's approval process, and having to go through that long process, it is amazing the project made it through the maze.
Morrow pointed out that it really wasn't that easy. Solving problems with the desert tortoise and other environmental concerns took time. "Ten years we've been working on this particular project, and it's had a lot of ups and downs. Most recently were the (state) budget cuts that threatened to preclude our involvement. We came up with some pretty creative ways of financing this without the money from the general fund."
What it does mean, pointed out Courtland Nelson, executive director of the DPR, is that there was enough money to finish the basic facilities — paved ramp and parking, an entrance station, marina area, restrooms, marina area and some day-use and camping facilities.
The remaining services and facilities will be built over the next two years. This will include 50 full-utility campsites with shelters, picnic tables and fire rings and restrooms with showers, as well as an equestrian area and a separate campground linked by sand with Big Sand Mountain for off-highway vehicle users.
For now, the reservoir has enough water for boating and swimming, camping facilities are primitive, but usable, and all the recreational opportunities that were available before the dedication are still there.
Although Sand Hollow is stocked with a variety of fish, conservation officers say anglers will not be allowed to fish at the lake for another year in order to let the fish population increase.
"I can tell, I am really looking forward to coming back in a year to go fishing," said Hatch. "This reservoir will keep this area of our state as vibrant as it is. It's terrific."
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